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47.14% The CEO & His Mistress / Chapter 33: Chapter Eighteen - Live For Yourself (Part 1)

Capítulo 33: Chapter Eighteen - Live For Yourself (Part 1)

Chapter Song Submission - "Damage by H.E.R."

Beep...

Beep...

Beep...

I crack my lids open, listening to the steady rhythm of my beating heart. My body feels numb... and a persisting throb spreads across my lower jaw. Pupils focusing on the unfamiliar white wash ceiling, the sterile scent of disinfectant fills up my lungs.

I breathe.

In. Out.

In…Out…

Memories of the accident cascade into my mind, and I remember everything — the agony, the screaming and...my dad! The heart monitor paces, the sound no longer reassuring. I'm alive! But what about my father? Panic sets in and I flail, screaming wildly at the horror and pain my body remembers. Even now, I feel it like a phantom limb.

"Aera! Aera's awake!" Nari's cry reaches my ears, followed by urgent footsteps. "Someone, call the doctor!"

"Nari?" I croak. Why is my voice muffled? I can barely open my mouth, my jaws are tight.

Nari's haggard face appears in my peripheral vision. Her eyes are red. She catches my hand, stroking my hair and then begins to weep. "Oh my god! I'm so glad you're awake, Aera. You've been asleep for five days!"

Five days?!

"D-dad?" I wheeze, wincing at the dryness in my throat. It feels like I had swallowed sawdust.

She shakes her head discouragingly. "He's still unconscious —"

A bunch of nurses cut her off, piling into the room with their equipment. The doctor replaces Nari, flashing a pen light in my eyes and testing my pupils' reaction. He asked if I'm feeling any pain. Dutifully, I answer all his questions and he takes notes before signing off my chart. "You're on your way to recovery, but it'll take time. You've experienced a traumatic accident. In fact, you're lucky to have sustained a few broken ribs and a fractured arm. No fatal concussion or damaged organs but, I'll be monitoring your progress." The lines of his mouth deepen. "Unfortunately, due to the extent of your injuries, there may be possible scarring. Otherwise, I'll advise you to rest well, take your medication and finish up your meal routinely."

"Thank you, doctor. And my f-father?"

The doctor exchanges a passive look with Nari.

"Please! I need to…know!" I demand hoarsely, knowing something's wrong.

He sighs, looking impossibly grim. "I'd rather not spring this on you now but, your friend warned me you're a stubborn one. Your father hit his head badly while protecting you. The operation was a success and he suffered minor broken bones. Given time, they will heal naturally." He pauses, preparing for the worse. "Despite that, I'm afraid your father has fallen into a comatose state."

My throat tightens up, a pathetic whine escapes me. Nari rushes to my side, clasping my hands. She's already in tears.

"There's no way of telling when he'll wake up on his own." The doctor persists, sympathy shadowing his face. "It hasn't been a week, so we are optimistic but, we are obliged to inform the patient's family as a precaution. Rest assure, we're monitoring his condition and changes will be notified immediately." He hands my chart off to the nurse. "Now, please rest up. Your father isn't the only one who needs healing and that's the best you can do in this situation. I'll return to check on you in the evening."

Nari envelops me as I break down, sharing the grief and pain. Minutes after I calm down, I realize Nari's alone. "Where's my mom?" I hiccup, feeling emotionally bereft. I need my mom.

"Hyeon sent her home. She hasn't slept for days, and I'm worried she'll fall over for pushing herself too hard." Nari confesses, dark circles under her eyes. I'm sure mom isn't the only one being pushed to their limit. "It's a relief that you're awake. Your mom...," Nari squeezed her eyes shut, looking pained. "I-it's just bad, Aera. We were all shaken up by the accident."

"How bad is Dad's condition?"

"On the outside, he looks like he's recovering well, but the doctor said he's not showing the same responses you did. We were starting to worry when you wouldn't wake up too."

"I'm sorry." I grab onto her palm, feeling her warmth. On a level, it comforted me. "Did Chang-Min come by?"

Nari wipes her tears away. "Yes. He'll pick me up later."

"He's probably a mess at work now that I'm in this state." I say ruefully.

She disinclines her head. "Because your Dad was involved in the accident too, Chang-Min's been voted as the acting Director. He's working with your father's secretary."

"That's somewhat a relief." I swallow hard. "Can I have some water, please?"

"Of course!" She quickly pours me a glass of water, holding the straw to my lips. "By the way, the police are investigating the accident. It was obviously a hit and run. Earlier in the week, a detective came by asking you to contact him once you're awake. He said his name is Detective Cha. Are you up for meeting him?"

I nod, my body benumbed with painkillers to cope with the pain. "I'll do it."

The next morning, Mom bursts into tears at the sight of me and as Nari predicted, everyone's stress level decreases a notch. Of course, we're still concerned about my father's wellbeing.

Another week later, the cast around my neck and the bandages are the first to go. Apart from mottled bruises and healing scabs, the doctor says I'm on a speedy recovery — thanks to my age.

Detective Cha also pays me a visit to interrogate me about the accident and I give him a word for word recollection. I ask if they have found any suspects.

"The car was caught on street cameras, but it was heavily tinted. We couldn't identify the driver and the plate number was bogus. I'll be frank. We're short on leads but we will do everything we can to find your assailant." Detective Cha meets my gaze squarely. "Is there anything else you might recall or has anything strange happened prior to the accident?"

"The letters!" I blurt out, startling him. Embarrassed, I explain. "During my last two weeks in Nagoya, I received threat letters. They were mostly curses but nothing to indicate the sender's identity or their possible motive."

Detective Cha's brows slant pensively. "And how frequent were those letters?"

"About three letters per week. I'll find them deposited in my post box."

"Can you provide me the post box address? I'd like to investigate further. And I'll need you to turn in those letters as evidence."

I recite the postbox address and inform him I'll have Nari drop the letters at his office. Detective Cha slips me his name card. "Feel free to contact me if you remember anything else. I'll be in touch."


REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES
nessawrites nessawrites

Song Suggestion : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAFAfhod9TU

Capítulo 34: Chapter Eighteen - Live For Yourself (Part 2)

Two weeks later, I'm discharged from the hospital. Goodbye, bland hospital food and hello burgers! Pizzas! Fried chicken! Iced latte! I'm already salivating with want. My daydream gets interrupted when Hyeon and Nari arrive to help me pack up while Mom consults the doctor. Now that I'm semi-recovered, she's able to focus on Dad, though I'm concerned about her recent jumpiness. She startles easily and her attention span is terribly short-lived. When I confront her about it, she brushes me off. "You're just overthinking it."

Firstly, my gut is never wrong. Secondly, I know just who to grill for answers.

"You're not allowed to come into work for another week." Chang-Min forbids me over the phone.

"At least let me coordinate your schedules from home. I have my laptop. My fingers aren't broken!" I insist stubbornly from my living room couch. It's Monday morning, and I'm restless. Chang-Min has benched me for an entire week, and now he's adding another seven days to my 'house arrest'. I'm not taking no for an answer.

"Fine." He relents in a heavy sigh. "I'll get Secretary Do to contact you."

Disconnecting the call, I twist and beam at Nari. "And that's how it's done."

She rolls her eyes while preparing lunch in the kitchen. "I'm glad you're back to work. I need more alone time with Chang-Min. He's rarely free these days. So please, make it happen."

I laugh, cradling my aching ribs. "I can't believe I was right about you two. When did you make it official?"

"About a month ago." She casually slices an apple, looking indecently smug. "I'll have you know, I popped his cherry."

"Ewww! TMI!" I fake gag, turning up the television. "Keep your sex life to yourself."

"It's true what they say about the honest ones being a beast in bed." She sings over the volume, ignoring my blatant protest.

Shaking my head, I quickly change the topic. "Hey, have you noticed anything strange about my mom's behavior lately? I think something's bothering her."

Nari becomes suspiciously quiet.

"Spill it before someone gets hurt." I glare intimidatingly from the couch. She knows better than to keep secrets about my family's affairs.

Releasing a burdening sigh, she sets down the knife. "Look, I don't know the whole story, but it was a testosterone drama that day you were hit." Nari visibly shudders. "I thought the men were going to start punching each other."

"What the hell are you talking about?" A natural scowl grips my face.

Nari rounds the kitchen counter, holding out her pinkie to me. "Pinkie swear you will not - I repeat - not - tell anyone that I told you this, alright?"

"Okay." I curl my little finger around hers. Nari settles into the couch, hands on my thighs. "That day, while you were undergoing surgery, Minister Wang made a surprise appearance. I think he knows your mom and dad in the past. Your mom looked like she had seen a ghost. They didn't talk but he offered to donate his blood to save your life."

My brows shoot above my hairline. "That's weird…right?"

"Absolutely!" She agrees fiercely. "But that wasn't all that happened." Hesitation marks her and she chews on her lip. "I'm not sure if I should be telling you this...".

I frown impatiently.

"Forgive me, Hyeon, Chang-Min." Nari murmurs indistinctly before blurting out. "Yun Kang-Dae was there too."

I suck in my breath, mixed feelings of joy and sadness washing over me. Dae was there?

Nari watches me closely. "He saved your father's life. I thought you'd want to know." Then, she fidgets. "Chang-Min and Hyeon expressly forbade me to tell you. They didn't want it to interfere with your recovery. Plus, Hyeon started the fight though no one got hurt because President Kang didn't retaliate."

My heart is about to explode. Dae was there! He cares! Happiness and heartache are synonyms in my vocabulary of Dae. A thought occurs to me. "Did he meet my mom?"

"They had a few words but nothing significant. Your mom isn't blind. She figured he's the reason why you've been moping about like a zombie." She cracks up at her own joke. "Hey, lighten up will you. It's been months. And God knows I'm not a saint. Does it really matter if he's married? You love him…he loves you…and most importantly he doesn't love his wife. The way I look at it, the answer is simple."

"It's not, Nari. If I make the decision to be with him, a lot of people are going to get hurt."

"Listen carefully." She grabs my shoulders firmly. "Are you going to be the good martyr and live miserably without love forever? Don't live for others. Live for yourself! I'll be the first in line to defend you if anyone says otherwise. You're not happy. Period. You've been walking around with a cloud over your head. And I hate it. Thanks to you, I've got Chang-Min now. So, you need to get your own Chang-Min."

I snicker at her self-made metaphor.

"I'm serious." She continues, eyes boring into mine. "Some things are worth fighting for, even if the whole world is against you. Don't care what others think, especially not Hyeon or Chang-Min. They're never going to change. I'm not asking you to go public. Life isn't always a bed of roses. If you don't want to be judged, then don't put a label on your relationship. If President Kang is willing to fight for you, then you should meet him halfway. All the bad things that come along, handle it together! No relationship is going to be perfect."

Nari suddenly looks sheepish. "In fact, I rang up some friends to dig some dirt on President Kang's marriage. Apparently, he married Joo Mun Hee to secure her father's support. Ultimately, it won him the Presidential title of Yun International Group and it'll remain his for five years if their marriage produces a legitimate child. The situation was messed up. What's odd is that President Kang moved out of the family estate the day he got married. He and his wife have been living separately for six years." Her lips twist with undisguised loathing. "The first rule about elite marriages like his? Faithfulness and love don't mean a thing. Money, fame and saving faces are the only currencies they communicate in so, no one truly cares if you're dating President Kang. If the affair isn't publicized on media, and wifey doesn't know...," She shrugs negligently. "Then you're all set."

"You're a bad influence, Nari." I cluck my tongue in disapproval. Nari's the kind of 'rotten apple' parents warn their children away from. "Trust me. I know what you're saying but I'm not brave. It's scary and getting burned is one of the worst feelings ever."

"Just think about it. You don't even have to make a decision." She simply waves her hand. "Several years down the road, you'll feel better and meet another man. I'll be happy for you if you're truly happy then."

"I'll sleep on it." I touch my wrapped ribs. "I'm more worried that someone's trying to kill me. I'm not ready for any kind of rigorous action - man or no man."

Our peals of laughter echo around the room at my insinuation. "It's a relief to get that off my chest." Nari gets up, returning to the kitchen. "I didn't agree with the guys when they...,"

I pretend to listen while my best friend chatters on about trivial matters, my mind and heart are warring with everything Nari said. I wonder...how did Dae know about the accident? Did he feel sad or sorry for me? Did he think he would gain something by saving my father's life?

And I'm curious about Minister Wang's appearance. Who is he to my parents...and why did he bother to save my life?


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